Clasp



Apr 30, 1935. J. T. DUFFY, .n 1,999,287

CLASP Filed March 20, 1934 MIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIHIWH Patented Apr. 30, 1935 .llames T. Duffy, 5r., Vv'ynnewood, Pa., assigner to Pioneer Suspender Company, a corporation ci Pennsylvania Application March 29, i934, Serial No. 716,487

7 Claims.

The invention relates to adjustable garment clasps, especially adapted for use with garters and Suspenders.

The object is to provide an improved construction adapted to engage or clamp fabrics or other objects varying in thickness with equal efliciency and without straining or distorting the clasp elements.

The invention also comprises a construction which is extremely neat, simple and compact.

It has been found that many clamps now in use, comprising cooperating cam-actuated jaws, are adapted to act efliciently on fabric of a certain or normal thickness; but where the fabric to be clamped is unusually thin the clasp does not engage the same efficiently, or where the fabric is unusually thick the tendency is to distort the parts or elements in attempting to bring the same into final closed or clamping position, so that the eiciency of the device is impaired or destroyed.

In accordance with the present invention the actuating element is adapted to assume different positions to cause a closing movement of the jaws of the clasp, corresponding to the thickness of the fabric or other object to be clamped between them.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates merely by way of example, suitable means for the embodiment of my invention;-

Fig. 1 is a View in perspective of the clasp in open position for receiving the fabric.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of same.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section showing the clasp in open position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the parts in position for engaging a very thin fabric.

Fig. 5 is a similar View showing the parts in position for engaging a thicker fabric.

Fig. 6 is a similar View showing the parts in position for engaging a fabric of still greater thickness.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the actuating element.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The device comprises the upper jaw element 9 and the lower jaw element iii, pivoted together as at l l The usual spring 3 is provided to cause the opening movement of the jaws. Each element is provided with a marginal flange l 2 and I3 respectively, directed toward each other and extending at right angles to the plane of the jaw bodies.

The front ends of the jaw portion elements 9 and lli are provided with enlarged flanges I4 and l5 which are adapted to overlap, as shown.

The rear portion It of the upper jaw element 9 is provided with an inner surface formed with transversely extending grooves il, it, i9 and 29.

A member 2l, usually provided with a loop 22 at one end for securing toi-a web or strap 23, is provided at its other end with a roller or sleeve 2l!- positioned between the extension l@ of jaw member 9, and the corresponding extension of jaw member ib. rEhe marginal side flanges l2 and it prevent lateral displacement of the roller while the rear flange 25 of jaw member Hl prevents the withdrawal of the roller from between the two jaw member extensions.

It will be noted that the jaw member 9 lies in two planes meeting at a line near the pivot li, at an Vangle one with the other. The result of this construction is that the space between the part l5 of jaw Ei and the corresponding part of jaw iii is tapered from the pivot to the rear ends of said members. tance between groove lll and the wall of jaw member i9 is greatest, while the space between each succeeding groove i8, is and 2! is progressively less.

By such means it will be seen that when the roller occupies the position, shown in Fig. 4, the jaws are tightly closed to grip a very thin fabric.

In the position shown in Fig. 5, the roller is in second position with the roller in groove i9 causing a closing movement only necessary for gripping a thicker fabric. In Fig. 6 the roller has assumed the position in groove i3, causing a closing movement only sufficient to grip a fabric of still greatervthickness. When the roller is in groove or space il the jaws assume the open position in response to the action of spring 8, as in Fig. 3.

In operation, the fabric is inserted between the jaws, when in open position, and the member 2l is drawn outwardly from toward the rear end of the clasp, from one groove to another until the fabric is firmly gripped between the jaws. Thus when the fabric is of unusual thickness the jaws are not forced into their extreme closing position, but are only sufoiently closed to effectively grip the fabric, only when the fabric is extremely thin or yielding, is it necessary to force the roller into its extreme groove 2D. In this way the straining or distortion of the clasp is averted, and also the damage to the fabric is prevented.

It will of course be understood that the grooves are preferably only of sufficient depth normally to maintain the roller 24 in position of adjustment after its manual operation.

The depth of the grooves is not sufficient to Thus the space or disprevent manual operation at any time, either to open the jaws to release the fabric, or to tighten the jaws if it should seem desirable.

An advantage secured by the use of the roller 24 in connection with the member 2! is that the member 2i will have a swivel movement in the roller without danger of dislodging the roller from a groove.

As a constructional feature the extension I6 of jaw 9 is provided with a middle longitudinally extending rib 25 transverse the grooves to prevent yielding of the said extension, due to the pressure exerted thereon.

What I claim is:-

l. A clasp comprising cooperating jaw-members pivoted together intermediate their ends, said members provided with cooperating jaws on one side of the pivot and having extensions converging from the other side of the pivot, a formation interposed between said converging extensions, means for moving said formation forward and back beti een said extensions and means cooperating therewith for normally holding said formation in any one of several positions of its movement to secure the jaws in required degree of closure until said formation is forcibly dislodged from said holding means.

2. A clasp comprising spring actuated cooperating jaw-members pivoted together intermediate their ends said members provided with cooperating jaws on one side of the pivot and having extensions converging from the other side of the pivot, a formation interposed between said converging extensions, means for moving said formation forward and back between said extensions and means cooperating therewith for normally holding said formation in any one of several positions of its movement to secure the jaws in required degree of closure until said formation is forcibly dislodged from said holding means.

3. A clasp comprising cooperating jaw-members pvoted together intermediate their ends, said members provided. with cooperating jaws on one side of the pivot and having extensions converging from the other side of the pivot, a roller formation interposed between said converging extensions, means for moving said formation forward and back between said extensions and means cooperating therewith for normally holding said formation in any one of several positions of its movement to secure the jaws in required degree of -olosure until said formation is forcibly dislodged from said holding means.

4. A clasp comprising cooperating jaw-members pivoted together intermediate their ends, said members provided with cooperating jaws on one side of the pivot and having extensions converging from the other side of the pivot, a formation interposed between said converging extensions, means for moving said formation forward and back between said extensions and means, comprising stepped recesses, cooperating therewith for normally holding said formation in any one of several positions of its movement to secure the jaws in required degree of closure until said formation is forcibly dislodged from said holding means.

5. A clasp comprising cooperating jaw members in pivotal relationship and having converging extensions, a member interposed between said converging extensions, and means for moving said member forward and back between said extensions to permit opening movement of the jaws and to cause closing movements differing in extent, one of said extensions provided with parallel transverse grooves for cooperating with said member normally to maintain said member indifferent jaw closing positions.

6. A clasp comprising cooperating jaw members in pivotal relationship and having converging extensions, a member interposed between said converging extensions, and means for moving said member forward and back between said extensions to permit opening movement of the jaws and to cause closing movements differing in extent, one of said extensions provided with parallel transverse grooves for cooperating with said member normally to maintain said member in any one of .several different jaw closing positions.

7. A clasp comprising cooperating jaw members in pivotal relationship and having converging extensions, a member interposed between said converging extensions, and means for moving said member forward and back between said extensions to permit opening movement of the jaws and to cause closing movements differing in extent, one of said extensions provided with parallel transverse grooves for cooperating with said member normally to maintain said member in different jaw closing positions, said grooved extension provided with a median, elongated boss extending across said grooves.

JAMES T. DUFFY, J R. 

